Help Build the Next Chapter of Setform
Since 1982, Setform has helped engineering and manufacturing companies connect with technical decision-makers through trusted publications, digital platforms and high-quality marketing solutions.
Now, as we prepare to launch our first engineering exhibition, we’re looking for an ambitious Commercial Partnerships Manager to help build its commercial success from the ground up.
This is a rare opportunity to join an established engineering media business at the beginning of an exciting new venture. You’ll help shape the exhibition’s commercial proposition, secure exhibitors and partners, and establish it as a must-attend event for the engineering industry.
Role Details
· Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience, plus uncapped commission
· Location: Hybrid working across London and St Albans, with greater flexibility to work from home once established
· Employment type: Full-time, permanent
· Probationary period: Six months
· Reporting to: Head of Sales
The Opportunity
This is a consultative business development role with one clear objective: to build the commercial success of Setform’s first engineering exhibition.
You’ll be responsible for identifying and securing new exhibitors, sponsors and commercial partners while developing long-term relationships with engineering manufacturers, technology providers and industrial businesses across the UK and internationally.
Rather than simply selling exhibition space, you’ll take the time to understand each client’s business objectives and demonstrate how exhibiting can help them launch products, generate qualified sales opportunities, strengthen customer relationships, recruit distributors, increase market visibility and support long-term business growth.
Working alongside the Head of Sales, Editorial and Production teams, you’ll show clients how Setform’s established engineering media portfolio can support their exhibition investment through promotional activity before, during and after the event.
The exhibition will be at the heart of every commercial conversation. Our established media brands will provide the additional reach and industry credibility to help exhibitors achieve even greater success.
Key Responsibilities
· Own and deliver against an individual exhibition revenue target.
· Develop new business opportunities for Setform’s engineering exhibition.
· Identify, engage and secure new exhibitors, sponsors and strategic commercial partners.
· Sell exhibition stands, sponsorships and commercial partnership packages.
· Build, develop and manage your own sales pipeline.
· Build relationships with engineering manufacturers, technology providers and industrial organisations across the UK and internationally.
· Understand each prospective exhibitor’s business objectives and recommend exhibition solutions aligned with their commercial objectives and measures of success.
· Develop tailored commercial proposals that position the exhibition as a central part of a client’s marketing and business-development activity.
· Demonstrate how Setform’s media portfolio can enhance exhibitor visibility before, during and after the exhibition.
· Build long-term commercial relationships that encourage repeat participation and sustainable revenue growth.
· Manage exhibitor renewals and rebookings.
· Represent Setform at industry exhibitions, conferences and networking events.
· Attend relevant industry and competing exhibitions to identify and develop new business opportunities.
· Work closely with the Head of Sales, Editorial and Production teams to ensure exhibitors receive an outstanding experience.
· Maintain accurate CRM records, sales forecasts and pipeline reporting.
About You
You’re a confident and ambitious business developer who enjoys opening new doors, building relationships and creating long-term commercial partnerships. You understand that successful selling begins with listening, and you’re comfortable engaging senior decision-makers and developing solutions around their commercial objectives.
You’ll bring:
· Proven experience in exhibition sales.
· A strong track record of winning new business and achieving revenue targets.
· A consultative approach to selling stands, sponsorships or commercial partnerships.
· Confidence communicating with senior decision-makers.
· Strong proposal-writing, negotiation and pipeline-management skills.
· The ability to work independently while collaborating across Sales, Editorial and Production.
· A willingness to travel within the UK and internationally.
Previous experience in exhibition sales is essential. Experience in sponsorship, B2B media, engineering or industrial markets would be advantageous. Just as importantly, you’ll bring ambition, commercial curiosity and a genuinely consultative approach.
Why Join Setform?
This is more than a sales role. It’s an opportunity to play a leading part in launching a brand-new engineering exhibition backed by a business with more than four decades of experience serving the engineering sector.
You’ll have the opportunity to influence how the exhibition develops, help shape its commercial proposition and become a key part of Setform’s next chapter.
What We Offer
· Competitive basic salary, dependent on experience.
· Uncapped commission and excellent earning potential.
· Hybrid working, with greater flexibility to work from home once established.
· 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays.
· Company pension scheme.
· Access to our salary-sacrifice electric vehicle scheme.
· Ongoing professional development and career progression.
· UK and international travel opportunities.
· The opportunity to help launch, shape and grow a brand-new engineering exhibition.
· A collaborative and entrepreneurial environment where your ideas will make a genuine impact.
Join the Journey
If you’re excited by the opportunity to help build a new engineering exhibition, develop long-term commercial partnerships and play a key role in the next chapter of Setform’s growth, we’d love to hear from you.